Restoration And Conservation Project Of Dome, Roof And Associated Works Masjid Kapitan Keling Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

History

Masjid Kapitan Keling is probably the most well-known mosque in the state of Pulau Pinang and on the mainland. Built in the 18th century, the Kapitan Keling Mosque is the oldest formally established mosque by Indian Muslim traders in George Town. It combines the influences of Indian-Mughal architecture with Gothic, Moorish and Roman Renaissance designs. The mosque is named after Caudeer Mohideen Merican, popularly known as Kapitan Keling, the leader of the Indian Muslim community during the early 19th century. While the original building was considerably smaller, population and income growth provided it with means of expansion until it became the largest mosque in town. Its rich heritage and unique architecture makes it one of Penang’s icons, as well as being part of the famous ‘Street Of Harmony’ with the Goddess of Mercy Temple and St George’s Church as it’s same-street neighbours. Masjid Kapitan Kling is listed as a heritage building by the National Heritage Department of Malaysia.

Background Of The Restoration And Conservation Project

Over the last 15 years there have been several initiatives implemented to conserve and manage the mosque site and the building’s fabric in order to maintain the religious observances, practices and traditions within and around a safe, stable and presentable property. This has substantially been very successful in most areas however there remains one aspect which still requires urgent attention. This relates to the condition and performance of the principal weather protection elements of the mosque building namely the main copper dome and the terracotta tile roof areas. The dome in particular is leaking excessively.

An on-site investigation of the defective condition of the main dome and the roof area of the mosque was made from 1-5 June 2010 by Mr Bruce Pettman and Ms Mary Knags heritage conservation architects of the NSW Governement Architect‟s Office, Sydney (under the auspices of AusHeritage Ltd), Mr Haris Fadzilah Abdul Rahman of Arkitek Urbanisma, Butterworth, Penang and Ms Gwynn Jenkins architectural heritage researcher, Penang. Additional advice has been obtained from conservation materials specialists Mr Desmond Corby (GAO) and traditional roofing specialist Mr Lee Adamou (NSW Public Works).

It provides the findings of the investigations and recommends remedial works to protect and maintain the building especially then main dome and roof areas. A key concern was the current rain water leaks and staining of the interior wall surfaces near the top of the central dome tower spaces as well as at other ceiling locations round the interior of the mosque.

The objectives of this project are as follows: –

To solve the water leakage problem especially on the main dome area and tiled roof areas.
To provide safe access to the roof areas to ensure monitoring and maintenance tasks can be performed more regularly as well as being supervised effectively.

Findings From The Investigation And Condition Assessment

The following information provides findings of each element of the mosque, its current conditions as observed so that the restoration approach could be determined.

Water penetration through the surface nails and lap joints of the main copper pans
Minor rust on the internal mild steel framework/portel trusses
Several damages to the timber boardings and ribs
Water staining, white mould and dry rot growth on the timber boardings and ribs
Bituminous building paper was substantially perforated by the fixing of multiple nails on the copper pans
The dome access door was in poor condition
Main dome rc gutter with a raised base hindered the water discharge
The puddled water seeped through the wall fabric into the central tower and staining the walls
Water seepage through the fixed glazed clerestory windows at the main dome tower
There were many broken roof tiles causing water seepage
No proper access to the roof top for the maintenance work

Water stain on the inner dome

Nails on the existing copper pans. All the water discharge holes at the crenulated parapet are sealed.

Puddling of water inside the main dome

Spalled concrete at small concrete dome

Repair Strategy

A) SITE ESTABLISHMENT

Confirm construction programme

Include confirmation of the schedule of required inspection, samples and test
plans.
Setting out of site office to facilitate the execution of work.

Construction access, compound & storage

Establishment of safe & secure site compound & storage facility on site.

Scaffold / Weatherproofing of scaffold

The scaffolding to have overhead weather protection against sunlight & rain.
The design shall include for safe access for all people at any time during the project.

B) ROOF & DOME ACCESS WORKS

Installation of a permanent folding ladder system from the main roof to the main
dome
Installation of a walkway (duckboard) access systems around the main roof gutters
(over parapet gutters)
Installation of a roof domer access door onto the main roof
Installation of a duckboard system within the main roof
Installation of access ladder system and platform within the Masjid building
Installation of lighting and electrical points inside the main roof and inside the dome

C) THE MAIN DOME

Restoration of internal timber boardings and ribs. Seriously rotten timber element
shall be replaced or strengthened.
Application of boracide treatment to the existing timber elements
Corroded steel frame work to be treated with anti-corrosion coating
To carry out trial repair of 1/8th section of the dome cladding with the removal of all
the nails and screws within the pans of the copper cladding in that section and filling
of the remaining holes with copper patch and copper patches
The vertical and horizontal flat seam joints between the existing pans of copper to be
cleaned and sealed with polyurethane sealant
To carry out water showed test in order to determine the effectiveness of the proposed
trial
The existing screed of the box gutter to be removed and installed a new shallow
screed c/w waterproofing system
Remove exterior downpipes and other redundant fittings from the dome\
Provide new lead weatherings to the cornice to direct water away from the dome tower
Repair windows by replacing broken sections of the glass
Repaint all sections of dome tower

D) CLAY TILED ROOF

Replace broken delaminated or loose tiles or cappings. Make good or replace
flashings and gutters
Realign the existing tiles facing west

E) INTERIOR MAKING GOOD

Make good interior as a result of any impact damage or spills during the work in
particular in relation to the new internal access ladder and platform

Recognition & Award

We are honored to receive the “PAM Awards 2013” under Category 7 Conservation for this project.

Summary

The conservation and restoration of Kapitan Keling mosque was commenced on 15th March 2011 and accomplished on 30th August 2011 with the total duration of approx. 5.5 months without delay as per in the contract period.

The scope of works as summarized below: –

Restoration of the main copper dome externally and internally
Restoration of the dome gutter, cornice and dome tower
Restoration of 2 nos of small concrete domes
Restoration and reinstatement of main clay tiled roof
Construction of dormer roof access
Construction of catwalks at the parapet wall above the external perimeter gutter
Construction of catwalk above the ceiling level
Construction of cat ladder inside the prayer hall
Making good interior

The works were carried out carefully and meticulously all in accordance with the specifications and instructions and also with the tight supervision and monitoring by the S.O to ensure the quality of work is maintained.

This project was handled and managed by Mr. Ong SW (General Manager) of Structural Repairs (M) Sdn Bhd to ensure and achieve the combination of quality planning, quality assurance and quality control.

Key Takeaways

Heritage is a piece of our past that has been saved for the present and will be passed on to succeeding generations. Heritage is thought of as knowledge that is defined within social, political, and cultural context and is conceived as the meanings associated to the past in the present. An individual community’s cultural identity and heritage are symbolised by old and historic buildings.

Conservation of heritage buildings is initiated by the government and private sector in Malaysia. The government showed effort to appreciate the existing of heritage buildings in Malaysia by establishing the National Heritage Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Warisan Negara) in the year 2006. Heritage buildings conservation can be described in many words. However, what is conservation? In general, conservation is a technical activity towards historical buildings. In order to conserve the heritage buildings’ material and structure, physical effort was required. It is a procedure to stop degradation, and the goal is to make buildings last longer.

We at Structural Repairs (M) Sdn. Bhd. are professional and competent technical specialist contractor will ensure the efforts of heritage conservation in Malaysia will be successful.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information. Our team will be happy and glad to assist you.

Kindly visit to our website at https://structuralrepairs.com.my/ or contact us at Tel: +603-91731728/29 Whatsapp: +60 12-334 9113